vacuum brake bleeders

[icenian]

Lots of pople have said that vacuum brake bleeders are the thing to have, especially for braided brake lines on ATs.

I did a search and found loads of workshop ones that cost a fortune, or assume you already have a vacuum pump in your workshop! Also found a guy on ebay selling them for about 4 quid - but turned out to be a big syringe with a bit of plastic tube on the end!

Nearest I've found so far is a Mityvak manual kit on Busters, for 35 pounds
https://www.busters-accessories.co.u...asp?prod=MVBBK

Is this the sort of thing that you guys (who recommended vacuum bleeders) use? Reasonable price?

tim

[Gregger]

Halfords do a bleeding kit for about a fiver.

Plastic tubing with a one way valve on the end

Certainly used it on an LC and GSXR1100 with no probs and I'd recommend it.

Cant see how the AT's brake lines are any different and need anything special

[Northy]

Plastic tube and a large syringe (don't ask where they come from !)
or the old fashion way .. use a tube with one end stuck in a bottle brake fluid. Just make sure that the bottle and tube are secure the last thing you want is brake fluid every where.
Do it outside,so you can wash the stuff off with water

Northy

[icenian]

Well, I went ahead and put new brake lines on (see AT forum) without getting a vacuum brake bleeder. It took forever to get the air out of the brake lines - i.e. bleeding from the master cylinder. Have had the same problem every time I've drained brake lines on any bike, but on the AT it was far worse - not sure why, the lines may be twice as long, but it too more like 4 or 5 times longer.

I have a bleed kit with a non-return valve but that wouldn't help with this problem. I'm guessing a vacuum pump would get the air out - if not, I don't understand what they're for (which is possible!).

I'm coming to the conclusion that you don't need one of these devices - but if you don't have one you'd better have lots of time and patience!

[Maverick]

I bought a mityvac pump 2 years ago and worth the money. A couple minutes that sure saves you the frustration trying to bleed brake lines for ever.

Top tip, if you ever have to bleed ABS system do not attempt to bleed it without a Vacuum pump it will take you forever to sort it out other wise.

[icenian]

I bought a mityvac pump 2 years ago and worth the money. A couple minutes that sure saves you the frustration trying to bleed brake lines for ever.

I had to change the brake lines again (separate thread...) so I bought a Mityvac. Wonderful device! Took no time at all to get the brakes bled.

Not sure I'd spend 35 quid if I only ever needed to do routine brake bleeding, but any time I was draining fluid out for new lines/caliper strip/whatever, I wouldn't be without a vacuum bleeder now.

[paultheold]

I bought the Mityvac pump for my cars years ago never used it in anger, find it great on the bike.

[wobblemonster]

I have found that the easiest way of bleeding troublesome brakes and clutches is to use an oil can (one with a trigger on it ).
Clean it out and fill with the correct grade of fluid, take most of the fluid out of master cyl, attach a piece of windscreen washer pipe onto end of spout, undo bleed nipple, attach other end of pipe and pump. You will see all the air going into master cyl.When bubbles stop,nip up bleed nipple and hey presto its done.
Sounds like a lot of hassle, but trust me its not. And best of all you probably have everything to do it already.
31 degrees today, god I dont miss the UK